The Inhibition Effect of Graphene Oxide Nanosheets on the Development of Streptococcus mutans Biofilms

Bacterial biofilms play a critical role in dental pathogenic mechanisms due to their ability to tolerate many traditional antibacterial agents. Thus, it is crucial to find effective methods to inhibit the occurrence and development of biofilms. Recently, graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets have become a promising antibacterial nanomaterial for use in various applications. This study focuses on the effect of GO nanosheets on the development of Streptococcus mutans biofilms. It is found that GO nanosheets are highly effective at inhibiting the formation of bacterial biofilms at concentrations ranging from low to high in early development stages. After GO treatment, the ratio of living cells in the biofilm decreases significantly, and the biofilm structure is destroyed. In contrast, GO has a minimal effect on mature biofilms.     

风湿性关节炎动物模型中血啉甲醚荧光强度的同步检测研究

光动力疗法的疗效依赖于治疗过程中靶组织中光敏剂的含量或浓度 ,而药物在组织中的分布特性是受动物机体调控的 ,因此 ,同一个体不同组织对光敏剂吸收的时间特性需要同时进行检测才能排除个体之间的差异。建立了一套空间三通道激光诱导荧光同步检测装置 ,并用该装置研究了活体大耳白兔风湿性关节炎模型滑膜、软骨和皮肤对血啉甲醚吸收的时间特性。研究结果表明 ,炎性滑膜组织对血啉甲醚的吸收量远大于软骨和皮肤 ,这一差别在静脉给药即刻就很明显 ,在静脉给药后 2 0min内 ,滑膜中的光敏剂药物含量约为软骨和皮肤中的 6倍。因此 ,对于借助血啉甲醚 ,用光动力疗法治疗风湿性关节炎并采用体外照射治疗方案时 ,从注药即刻开始 ,前 2 0min左右进行光照治疗可能是较好的选择。     

TOF-SIMS imaging of chlorhexidine-digluconate transport in frozen hydrated biofilms of the fungus Candida albicans

The diffusion of the anti-microbial chlorhexidine digluconate (CHG) has been studied in C. albicans biofilms by time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS). C. albicans has been shown to become resistant to common anti-microbial agents, including CHG, when growing as a biofilm. Mass transport resistance within biofilms has commonly been suggested as a resistance mechanism, but measurement of transport for most anti-microbial agents in biofilms has proven extremely difficult because of the heterogeneity of the biofilms and the difficulty in detecting these agents within an intact biofilm. In this study, TOF-SIMS has been used to study the transport of CHG and glucose in a frozen hydrated biofilm. The TOF-SIMS images reveal a progression of CHG from the top of the biofilm to its base with time. Images suggest that there are channels within the biofilm and show preferential binding of CHG to cellular components of the biofilm. Additionally, both living and dead cells can be identified in the TOF-SIMS images by the sequestration of K⁺ and the presence of cell markers. This study demonstrates that TOF-SIMS has the unique potential to simultaneously observe the presence of an antimicrobial agent, concentration of nutrients, and the viability of the cell population.     

How does ultrasonic cavitation remove dental bacterial biofilm?

Bacterial biofilm accumulation is problematic in many areas, leading to biofouling in the marine environment and the food industry, and infections in healthcare. Physical disruption of biofilms has become an important area of research. In dentistry, biofilm removal is essential to maintain health. The aim of this study is to observe biofilm disruption due to cavitation generated by a dental ultrasonic scaler (P5XS, Acteon) using a high speed camera and determine how this is achieved. Streptococcus sanguinis biofilm was grown on Thermanox™ coverslips (Nunc, USA) for 4 days. After fixing and staining with crystal violet, biofilm removal was imaged using a high speed camera (AX200, Photron). An ultrasonic scaler tip (tip 10P) was held 2 mm away from the biofilm and operated for 2 s. Bubble oscillations were observed from high speed image sequences and image analysis was used to track bubble motion and calculate changes in bubble radius and velocity on the surface. The results demonstrate that most of the biofilm disruption occurs through cavitation bubbles contacting the surface within 2 s, whether individually or in cavitation clouds. Cleaning occurs through shape oscillating microbubbles on the surface as well as through fluid flow.     

鲜红斑痣光动力治疗的荧光光谱监测

应用荧光光谱技术监测了鲜红斑痣(PWS)光动力治疗(PDT)中的光敏剂血药浓度与光产物生成。以532 nm倍频Nd∶YAG激光器作为PDT照射光源与荧光激发光源,以光谱仪与ICCD采集荧光光谱。在系统验证实验中,构建含有血卟啉单甲醚(HMME)的小鼠正常皮肤的荧光基本光谱,通过最小二乘光谱拟合区分HMME荧光(624 nm)与光产物荧光(652 nm)。含有PSD-007的病人患区荧光光谱拟合采用相同基本光谱,获得不同病人个体具有显著差异的光敏剂血药浓度曲线与光产物生成漂白曲线。所建立的荧光光谱监测系统与光谱拟合方法可为PDT精确量化剂量学方法的建立提供技术手段,所得结果有利于制定个性化的PDT治疗方案。     

Au@TiO_2纳米核壳与HMME结合体的制备及其光动力疗效初探

光动力疗法(PDT)是一种高效、安全、微创的新型治疗方法,国产光敏剂血卟啉单甲醚(HMME)介导的光动力疗法由于其成分单一、单态氧产量高及光敏周期短,临床上已用于脑胶质瘤和鲜红斑痣的治疗。为了进一步提高光动力疗效,本研究基于晶种生长法制备稳定粒径均一的吸收峰在530nm的阳离子金纳米球。采用毒性低且阴离子电解活化作用强的聚(四-苯乙烯磺酸钠)(PSS)进行修饰。利用静电吸引力将钛源TiCl_3水解的TiOH~(2+)与其结合并氧化制备AuNP@TiO_2核壳,通过改变NaHCO_3量制得不同TiO_2壳层厚度的AuNP@TiO_2核壳,并进一步将其与HMME结合制备结合体。采用紫外-可见吸收光谱、红外光谱、激光纳米粒度仪和透射电镜对所制样品进行表征。结果表明新型的光敏剂粒径均匀,结构稳定。最后采用细胞实验验证了其光动力疗效。总之,该研究合成了新型的Au@TiO_2-HMME纳米光敏剂,通过人口腔表皮样癌细胞系KB细胞与新型核壳纳米结构的光动力作用,与纯HMME相比,在最优条件下可提高约35%的细胞杀伤率。     

Inactivation of bovine immunodeficiency virus by photodynamic therapy with HMME

To investigate the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with hematoporphrin monomethyl ether (HMME) on bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) can provide the basis theory for photoinactivation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). To assess the protection of HMME-PDT on the cell line Cf2Th infected with BIVR29 by 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazol-2-yl-3,5-di-phenytetrazolium bromide (MTT) with power density of 5 and 25 mW/cm2 and energy density from 0.6 to 3 J/cm<'2>. To observe the inhibition of membrane fusion using a new reporter cell line BIVE by fluorescence microscope. HMME-PDT has significant protectant effects on Cf2Th-BIVR29 with both power densities, especially in the group of high power density. Fluorescent microscope shows that there is no significant difference between the group of PDT and control, which means PDT could not inhibit the BIV-mediated membrane fusion.     

血啉甲醚的时间分辨荧光光谱研究

实验研究了用于肿瘤光动力学诊断的第二代新型光敏剂血啉甲醚(HMME)分别在不同血型人血清和生理盐水环境中的时间分辨光谱,同时还研究了在不同荧光发射峰处的荧光寿命以及光敏剂浓度对荧光寿命的影响。结果表明:HMME在625和690nm处的荧光寿命基本相同,无显著差异。HMME在生理盐水和人血清环境中的荧光寿命具有显著差异,分别为14.6和16.6ns,同时实验结果还表明光敏剂浓度对荧光寿命没有影响。结论对于开展肿瘤的时间分辨药物荧光光谱诊断与成像技术具有重要的指导意义。     

Phase-resolved photoacoustic spectroscopy to monitor dental plaque on tooth enamel

Dental plaque is a biofilm on the enamel surface of the teeth, formed by colonizing bacteria. It is essential to monitor the biofilm presence on the surface of the enamel of the teeth, since plaque is a reason for periodontal disease and dental caries. This paper proposes applying photoacoustic spectroscopy to monitor and the phase-resolved photoacoustic method to analyze the biofilm plaque on samples of human dental enamel facets. The biofilm growth occurred in the oral cavity environment at deposition time of 48 and 72?h. Photoacoustic ex vivo monitoring found that: (1) Photoacoustic spectroscopy is a helpful tool to identify the bactericidal effect on dental plaque; (2) the biofilm deposition provides an optical absorption of the Soret band at 410?nm and increase of hydroxyl absorption band; (3) the biofilm thickness by phase-resolved photoacoustic method is in agreement with the literature in situ measurements. These new knowledges may help in development of a greater practicality and safety equipment able to identify and quantify dental biofilm, which may be achieved with low-cost Soret-band light emitting diode as light excitation.     

Prevention of biofilm re‐development on Ti‐6Al‐4V alloy by cometary discharge with a metallic grid

The influence of a non‐thermal plasma (NTP) on the gram‐negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the gram‐positive bacterium Staphylococcus epidermidis, and the yeast Candida albicans grown on agar or in the biofilm form was compared. NTP was produced by a DC cometary discharge. The biofilms were grown on the surface of Ti‐6Al‐4V alloy often used in the manufacture of prosthetic implants. The exposure by NTP not only inhibited the surface growth of microorganisms in agar cultures but also significantly suppressed the viability of bacteria and yeast in biofilms and prevented its re‐developed from persistent cells remaining in the lower layers of the biofilm. An almost complete prevention of biofilm re‐development was achieved in the case of S. epidermidis; other microorganisms displayed substantial lowering of biofilm biomass and its metabolic activity.     

光动力学疗法新型光敏剂的光谱特性研究

实验研究了用于光动力学诊断和治疗的新型光敏剂二磺基二邻苯二甲酰亚胺甲基酞菁锌（ZnPcS2P)癌光啉（PsD-007)、血啉甲醚（HMME）以及早期应用于临床的血卟啉衍生物（HpD)分别在生理盐水和含10％人血清生理盐水中的光谱特性。结果表明：除ZnPcS2P2的最大吸收峰位于670nm之外，其余三种光敏剂在人血清环境中的最大吸收峰都位于405nm处，但与生理盐水环境相比索瑞（Soret)峰发生了12nm的红移。在波长为413和514.5nm光源激发下，HMME，HpD和PsD-007在人血清环境中的荧光发射峰都分别位于625和690nm，但413nm光源的激发效率比514.5nm光源高出3倍左右，而且HEEM的荧光激发效率最高，HpD次之，PsD-007最低。     

Lasers effects on enamel for caries prevention

The aim of this study was to ascertain whether laser irradiation is able to reduce caries incidence. For this purpose, the effects of laser on enamel and on fluoride uptake were discussed. Current literature regarding the preventive effect of laser irradiation on dental hard tissue has been reviewed. An evaluation of the results of the available in vitro and in vivo studies on the efficacy of anticaries and induced changes on enamel by laser irradiation were also performed. Articles were selected using the Medline, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases, and the results of these studies were described. The most common lasers employed for caries prevention on enamel are Nd:YAG; CO₂; Er:YAG; Er,Cr:YSGG; and argon. The percentage of inhibition of dental caries varied from 30 to 97.2%, and the association with fluoride has demonstrated the best results on inhibition of caries development. Laser irradiation under specific conditions can change the crystallographic properties of apatite crystals, increasing the acid resistance of lased enamel. The combined treatment of laser irradiation with fluoride propitiates an expressive fluoride uptake, reducing the progression of carieslike lesions, and this treatment is more effective than laser or fluoride alone. Available data suggest that lasers combined with fluoride is a promising treatment in caries prevention.     

基于口腔自体荧光效应和深度学习的牙菌斑的分割及量化

牙菌斑是牙齿表面一层难以观测的生物膜,是导致龋齿、牙龈炎等一系列疾病的直接诱因.牙菌斑的早期定量化无损检测具有重要的临床意义.短波长光激发下,牙菌斑的细菌及其代谢产物可以产生自体荧光.基于前期成像系统的基础上,采集大量牙菌斑在405nm蓝光激发下产生的红色荧光;牙菌斑越成熟红色荧光强度越高;采用改进的U-net网络对该...     

Subsurface examination of a foliar biofilm using scanning electron- and focused-ion-beam microscopy

The dual beam scanning electron microscope, equipped with both a focused ion- and scanning electron-beam (FIB SEM) is a novel tool for the exploration of the subsurface structure of biological tissues. The FIB can remove a predetermined amount of material from a selected site to allow for subsurface exploration and when coupled with SEM or scanning ion-beam microscopy (SIM) could be suitable to examine the subsurface structure of bacterial biofilms on the leaf surface. The suitability of chemical and cryofixation was examined for use with the FIB SEM to examine bacterial biofilms on leaf surfaces. The biological control agent, Burkholderia pyroccinia FP62, that rapidly colonizes the leaf surface and forms biofilms, was inoculated onto geranium leaves and incubated in a greenhouse for 7 or 14 days. Cryofixation was not suitable for examination of leaf biofilms because it created a frozen layer over the leaf surface that cracked when exposed to the electron beam and the protective cap required for FIB milling could not be accurately deposited. With chemically fixed samples, it was possible to precisely FIB mill a single cross section (5μm) or sequential cross sections from a single site without any damage to the surrounding surface. Biofilms, 7 days post-inoculation (DPI), were composed of 2-5 bacterial cell layers while biofilms 14 DPI ranged from 5 to greater than 30 cell layers. Empty spaces between bacteria cells in the subsurface structure were observed in biofilms 7- and 14-DPI. Sequential cross sections inferred that the empty spaces were often continuous between FP62 cells and could possibly make up a network of channels throughout the biofilm. FIB SEM was a useful tool to observe the subsurface composition of a foliar biofilm.     

Study of the efficacy of photofrin®-Mediated PDT on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell line

Laser Physics - The present study evaluates the effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with Photofrin® using human liver cancer cells (HepG2) as an experimental model. We optimized the...     

Tomographic imaging of incipient dental-caries using optical coherence tomography and comparison with various modalities

We present the optical coherence tomography (OCT) made to investigate the early dental caries in human teeth and compare its results with those taken by conventional imaging modalities including light illuminating examination (LIE), digital intra-oral radiography (DIOR), and electron probe micro analyzer (EPMA). Morphological features and caries-involved areas of the dental structure were mainly investigated by LIE, DIOR, and OCT to study the infection of the caries lesion in pits and fissures. The biochemical information acquired with EPMA and the morphological features taken with OCT in the early stage of caries were compared and analyzed to present an objective and practical index for the degree of caries. The experimental results allow us to conclude that OCT could be used to provide quantitative analysis of caries based on the reflectivity difference in the specimen.     

Ultrasonic irradiation enhanced the efficacy of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilm

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is a non-pharmacological antimicrobial regimen based on light, photosensitizer and oxygen. It has become a potential method to inactivate multidrug-resistant bacteria. However, limited by the delivery of photosensitizer (PS) in biofilm, eradicating biofilm-associated infections by aPDT remains challenging. This study aimed to explore the feasibility of combining ultrasonic irradiation with aPDT to enhance the efficacy of aPDT against methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) biofilm. A cationic benzylidene cyclopentanone photosensitizer with much higher selectivity to bacterial cells than mammalian cells were applied at the concentration of 10 μM. 532 nm laser (40 mW/cm², 10 min) and 1 MHz ultrasound (500 mW/cm², 10 min, simultaneously with aPDT) were employed against MRSA biofilms in vitro. In addition to combined with ultrasonic irradiation and aPDT, MRSA biofilms were treated with laser irradiation only, photosensitizer only, ultrasonic irradiation only, ultrasonic irradiation and photosensitizer, and aPDT respectively. The antibacterial efficacy was determined by XTT assay, and the penetration depth of PS in biofilm was observed using a photoluminescence spectrometer and a confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). In addition, the viability of human dermal fibroblasts (WS-1 cells) after the same treatments mentioned above and the uptake of P3 by WS-1 cells after ultrasonic irradiation were detected by CCK-8 and CLSM in vitro. Results showed that the percent decrease in metabolic activity resulting from the US + aPDT group (75.76%) was higher than the sum of the aPDT group (44.14%) and the US group (9.88%), suggesting synergistic effects. Meanwhile, the diffusion of PS in the biofilm of MRSA was significantly increased by 1 MHz ultrasonic irradiation. Ultrasonic irradiation neither induced the PS uptake by WS-1 cells nor reduced the viability of WS-1 cells. These results suggested that 1 MHz ultrasonic irradiation significantly enhanced the efficacy of aPDT against MRSA biofilm by increasing the penetration depth of PS. In addition, the antibacterial efficacy of aPDT can be enhanced by ultrasonic irradiation, the US + aPDT treatment demonstrated encouraging in vivo antibacterial efficacy (1.73 log₁₀ CFU/mL reduction). In conclusion, the combination of aPDT and 1 MHz ultrasound is a potential and promising strategy to eradicate biofilm-associated infections of MRSA.